Uses

How to use clindamycin vaginal

Read the Patient Information Leaflet for instructions on the proper use of this medication. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.

This product is for vaginal use only. Unwrap the suppository and place it in the applicator. Insert the applicator high into the vagina and press the plunger to release the medication. Use this product as directed by your doctor, usually once a day at bedtime for 3 days. Clean the applicator with warm soapy water and rinse well. Do not boil or use hot water to clean the applicator. You may also insert the suppository into the vagina without using the applicator. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

To prevent medication from leaking out of the vagina, lie down as soon as possible after use.

Antibiotics work best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, use this drug at evenly spaced intervals.

Continue to use this medication for the full number of days prescribed even if symptoms disappear after a few days. Stopping the medication too early may allow bacteria to continue to grow, which may result in a relapse of the infection.

Side Effects

Mild diarrhea or stomach upset may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Although unlikely, vaginal pain/itching/discharge may occur or worsen. These symptoms may be due to a new vaginal infection (e.g., yeast/fungal infection, trichomonas infection). This medication may infrequently cause a fungal infection in another part of your body (e.g., oral thrush). Contact your doctor if you notice a change in vaginal discharge, white patches in your mouth, or other new symptoms.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A small amount of this medication may be absorbed into your bloodstream and rarely may cause a severe intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea) due to a resistant bacteria. This condition may occur while receiving therapy or even weeks to months after treatment has stopped. Do not use anti-diarrhea products or narcotic pain medications if you have the following symptoms because these products may make them worse. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop persistent diarrhea, abdominal or stomach pain/cramping, or blood/mucus in your stool.

Precautions

Before using clindamycin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to lincomycin; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: a certain intestinal condition (Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea).

Do not have vaginal intercourse or use tampons or douches while using this medication because they can cause the suppositories to not work as well.

This product can weaken rubber products such as latex condoms and diaphragms and lead to their failure. Therefore, do not use these products during treatment with this medication and for 72 hours after treatment is over. Consult your doctor about other forms of barrier protection/birth control (e.g., polyurethane condoms) during this time.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Oral antibiotics have been used to treat vaginal infections during pregnancy, especially high-risk pregnancies (e.g., early childbirth). Consult your doctor for more details and to discuss the risks and benefits.

It is not known if the medication in this product passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use.

Clindamycin may increase the effects of certain drugs used during surgery (neuromuscular blockers such as pancuronium, tubocurarine). Tell your doctor if you are going to be having any surgeries while using this medication.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Overdose

This medicine may be harmful if swallowed. If swallowing or overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another infection unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in those cases. Consult your doctor for more details.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature (77 degrees F or 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised June 2013. Copyright(c) 2013 First Databank, Inc.

Treatment by Condition Related to clindamycin vaginal

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, expect as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

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